Everything you need to know before you download.

Yes. Paquet Builder 2026 ships with a built-in AI Assistant that configures over 100 project settings through natural language — compression, signing, encryption, scope, interface, and more. It connects to cloud providers (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, and others) or local models (Ollama, LM Studio). Every change is proposed as a reviewable action card: the AI never modifies your project without your approval.

• AI Assistant docs
• Feature overview

Yes. Paquet Builder ships an MCP Server (PBMCPServer.exe) that exposes the full project engine over the Model Context Protocol. External AI tools — Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or any MCP-compatible client — can open, edit, compile, and save installer projects headlessly via natural language. Useful for AI-driven project creation, batch modifications across many projects, and scripted CI/CD workflows.

• MCP Server docs
• Feature overview

Yes, Paquet Builder offers many options for creating and modifying installers from the command-line and other batch files. The Console Compiler (Ultimate edition) lets you fully automate the build process. Directive files also let you change project settings before compilation.

• Console compiler
• Directive files
• Feature overview

The Console Compiler (Ultimate edition) is a command-line application that compiles projects without launching the GUI. It is portable and can be placed on any build machine. Combined with directive files for overriding settings, it enables full build automation in any CI/CD environment.

• Console compiler
• Directive files
• Batch build & directives

Windows EXE file size is limited to 4 GB. But Paquet Builder can create self-extracting archives larger than 4 GB: you should enable the option in Paquet Builder to create a multi-volume archive.

• Multi-volume archives

Yes. Create a Setup Routine project and select "Install a Windows Installer package (MSI) or patch (MSP)" — Paquet Builder wraps your MSI into a single self-extracting EXE with a branded wizard on top. You can also combine multiple MSI installers in a single delivery, or trigger advanced MSI operations (administrative install, advertising, patching) from custom actions.

• Working with MSI packages
• Install MSI action

Yes. Paquet Builder supports Azure Artifact Signing (cloud-based), traditional PFX certificates, Windows Certificate Store, and hardware token/dongle-based certificates. It supports SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, dual SHA-1 + SHA-256 signing, and RFC 3161 timestamping. Signed installers pass Microsoft SmartScreen checks.

• Digital signature
• Azure Artifact Signing
• Code signing overview

Yes. The Installation Scope setting lets you target Current User (installs under %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs and HKEY_CURRENT_USER, no UAC elevation required), All Users (installs under %PROGFILESDIR% and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, requires admin), or User Choice — a runtime dialog that lets the end user pick. The scope automatically adjusts destination paths, shortcut locations, and registry root keys.

• Installation scope
• UAC manifest

Yes. Silent mode is developer-configurable rather than a fixed /S switch — you define your own command-line switches using predefined variables such as %PARAM% and %PARAMS%, combined with custom actions. A ready-made "Enable Silent Mode from Package Command Line" action template activates the Progress Monitor's silent mode and suppresses all dialogs when your chosen switch is passed.

• Package command line
• Silent progress mode
• Action templates

Yes. When enabled, the built-in uninstaller engine registers your product in Windows Settings > Installed Apps and removes extracted files, empty folders, Start Menu and Desktop shortcuts, INI entries, and HKCU/HKLM registry keys. It honors "Do not remove" flags on user data, uses the system usage counter for shared DLLs and OCX controls, and supports custom uninstall commands for additional cleanup.

• Uninstaller engine
• Uninstaller properties
• Custom uninstall commands

Yes. Paquet Builder provides dedicated visual managers for each: the Shortcut Manager (Desktop, Start Menu, Taskbar, custom program groups with icons and parameters), the Registry Entry Manager (HKCU/HKLM with 64-bit view awareness), and custom actions to write environment variables, INI file entries, and XML nodes. No scripting required for common cases.

• Shortcut Manager
• Registry Entries
• Environment variables

Yes. Three interface themes are available: Modern (Windows 10/11 wizard style, recommended), Wizard (classic 2-panel layout), and Standard. Each theme supports a custom wizard header image, watermark, and label text. Welcome screens, readme, license agreement, and end screens are all configurable, and the Ultimate edition includes the No Branding option.

• Interface theme
• Welcome screen
• Customization overview

Yes. Paquet Builder includes professionally translated strings for over 30 languages. Your installer can automatically detect the user's Windows language or present a language selection dialog. The built-in Language Manager lets you customize translations or add entirely new languages.

• Language Manager
• Multilingual overview

Yes. You can encrypt files with 7-Zip AES, optionally hide the file list with encrypted filenames, require a password at runtime, or store the key inside the package for transparent decryption. A package-size check also detects truncated or corrupted downloads — note that this check is incompatible with digital signing , so prefer code signing for production-grade integrity verification.

• Protect package files
• Protection overview

We offer two editions: Professional (for individuals, students, teachers, and small companies with fewer than 4 employees) and Ultimate (for companies with more than 4 employees). Both editions have identical features, except the Ultimate edition includes the Console Command-Line Compiler and the No Branding Option. Floating licenses are also available.

• Compare editions & buy
• Floating licenses

A standard license can be activated on up to two computers belonging to the same user (for example, a desktop and a laptop). A deactivation feature is included, allowing you to transfer your license from one computer to another at any time. For more computers, consider a floating license.

• Floating licenses

A floating license allows you to install and use Paquet Builder on multiple computers within the same organization. Each floating license permits one user at a time to operate Paquet Builder. For example, a single floating license can cover all your build machines, provided only one user is managing them at any given moment.

• See floating license pricing

Yes. Every license includes a 12-month maintenance period with free minor and major upgrades. After the initial year, you can optionally renew your maintenance at a discounted rate. Renewing is optional: you retain all versions obtained during your maintenance period indefinitely.

• View licensing details